A good Wah pedal?

GuitarJunkie84 · March 29th, 2008, 12:49 AM

What's a good wah pedal? I may have a shot at a Vox for half off, but I know absolutely nothing about these pedals. I used to have one long ago, but I've been out of the loop for quite some time. Any opinions?

tazzboy · March 29th, 2008, 12:55 AM

I assume you are talking about Vox V848 Clyde McCoy Wah Pedal? That one has true bypass.

GuitarJunkie84 · March 29th, 2008, 01:23 AM

Eh, the newer Vox V847. Or any new wah pedal. I just want to know what is good, good range, good wah sound. Definitive wah, if you will.

hxchip · March 29th, 2008, 02:20 AM

I just picked up an ebay deal of a Crybaby modded by Chuck's Tone Garage for $90. It's on its way, so I'll try to get a review up when it's in. Chuck's Tone Garage still has a myspace, but I couldn't find the old website - so I don't know if he's still modding actively.

teleclem · March 29th, 2008, 04:43 AM

a nicely modded Vox really does the job for me. It's modded with Fulltone pot, true bypass, blue led, and a power supply jack. ;)

though i wanna check out those teese wahs :D

Axis29 · March 29th, 2008, 07:27 AM

I love my Morely better than my CryBaby. Optical wah control is smoother and won't ever get scratchy.

greggorypeccary · March 29th, 2008, 08:44 AM

I put and Area 51 "drop-in" into my Crybaby housing. Great wah!

marc sosnoff · March 29th, 2008, 11:44 AM

the teese wah are some of the best also the fulltone gets great reviews
area 51 i never have used or heard that they are supposed to be top of the line too the vox 847 is not bad but you have to do a true bypass
which isnt very hard to do

i have a 847 that i modded for true bypass and i also swapped out the pot and inductor and a few other things it works and sounds great very close to my teese pic wah

but after you do all the work to the vox you have almost the same money as buying a teese so go for the teese

youll be glad you did

marc

if you dont use a wah a lot and dont want to spend 200.00 the next pedal to look at will be the budda

GuitarJunkie84 · March 29th, 2008, 01:43 PM

Hmm, how is the Vox 847 before any upgrades. I have a chance to get one brand new for 60 bucks. I could work on the upgrades once I have time or figure out how to do them...but in general, for 60 bucks, will I be pretty happy?

marc sosnoff · March 29th, 2008, 02:29 PM

im sure you will be happy just that if it not true bypassed it sucks the tone big time

Lance · March 29th, 2008, 02:54 PM

I like the sound of my Fulltone Clyde....but guess what? It's on it's way back to Fulltone to get the scratchiness out of the pot. I had a vintage Crybaby but it was a pile of scratchiness, crackles, and pops. Had a Vox once (for a week)....it was a mess. Axis29's Morley sounds good....although the Morley feel is different - try it first. Last point - I really suggest getting wah with true bypass as they're almost all tone suckers.

GuitarJunkie84 · March 29th, 2008, 04:30 PM

The Tone bypass mod is pretty easy right? A couple of wires and some soldering? For the money I'd save on the pedal it would almost be worth it. Wah pedals are expensive as hell. Never would have guessed that.

mikespe · March 29th, 2008, 05:24 PM

You know, I have the original Crybaby...you know the one everyone says sucks tone when off because of the lack of true bypass. I did an A/B test and tried with connected to my chain and not connected and I didn't NOT here are darn difference in sound. Now I do know that Dunlop did do something with the electronics in the later models that act like true bypass but aren't. But I just could not notice any change in tone. I really like the Crybaby's sound. I know many people despise the Crybaby but I like it.

The one thing I would like to do is increase the range of the pedal itself. I know there is something you can turn to raise and lower the pedal? Anyone have a diagram or something? (Sorry to the OP to hijack the thread!)

Axis29 · March 29th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikespe

I really like the Crybaby's sound. I know many people despise the Crybaby but I like it.

Oh don';t get me wrong, I love the sound of my Crybaby... when I can hear it above the scratchiness! LOL

It has a nice sweep and it really does do the vintage wah thing beautifully, but it got scratchy within a few months of owning it and now, fifteen or so years later, it ain't any better! Granted I haven't played it in years because of the scratchiness... I could pull it out and clean out the pot (and loan it to Lance while his is in the shop!) Heck, I could probably just replace the pot itself and start out brand new with probably a better pot... but that seems like too much work

But I love the action on my Morley, it's very smooth and easy, and sounds very smooth as well. Lance is right, it is different, but I think it's a good different.

But then I think I'm a good different too!

mikespe · March 29th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis29

Oh don';t get me wrong, I love the sound of my Crybaby... when I can hear it above the scratchiness! LOL

Scratchy? What do you mean? Mine is VERY clear with no extra noise at all. Maybe I just got lucky (or you were unlucky!

) but I really like how it sits under my foot and the tone is great. I really noticed how nice it sounded when I got my Fender VibroChamp. It sounds so much better with a tube amp. (But now I have to wait weeks to get my VCXD from repair!

)...but I regress!

freddie · March 29th, 2008, 07:15 PM

I like my Dunlop Crybaby.

freddie

GuitarJunkie84 · March 29th, 2008, 07:38 PM

See, I used to have a crybaby, and also really liked it, but it has been a while. Mikespe, my question was answered enough (and I knew before I posted that it would come down to personal preference) and I am never one to worry about having my toes stepped on in a forum. I enjoy it when topics open up and people can all have different questions answered.

surfoverb · March 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM

vox clyde mccoy 848($150) or BYOC wah($130)...The byoc has a drop in kit that's $94 if you already have an enclosure. Jen wahs sometimes pop up on ebay they are the same as vox, same factory in Italy...I believe Jimmy Page uses a Jen wah.

bumper · March 29th, 2008, 11:01 PM

Roger Mayer Vision Wah. Greatest wah ever: smooth, quiet, very adjustable.

Axis29 · March 30th, 2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikespe

Scratchy? What do you mean? Mine is VERY clear with no extra noise at all. Maybe I just got lucky (or you were unlucky!

) but I really like how it sits under my foot and the tone is great. I really noticed how nice it sounded when I got my Fender VibroChamp. It sounds so much better with a tube amp. (But now I have to wait weeks to get my VCXD from repair!

)...but I regress!

Either the pot gets dirty or wears out. It's just like a volume or tone pot on a guitar that gets dirty and scratchy. It's the same piece. It happens, waddya gonna do? (I know, clean the pot every now and then) My Morley has an "Electo-Optical Design", so no mechanics to get dirty... It's a smoother action than the crybaby, less resistance. But the sound is similar. I just know it'll last me longer without having to do any maintenance, and I'm cool with the different feel.

However, one advantage the Crybaby's have over my Morley is that you can step on the Crybaby to turn it on, set the wah at any level to keep the tone brighter, etc and walk away. if I let go of my morley, it returns to normal, then turns off.

XKnight · March 30th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Teese.

BrutherBill · March 30th, 2008, 05:40 AM

FWIW -

I had a Vox Clyde and it crapped out after three or four years.

I just got back from my second gig with a the Fulltone Clyde Deluxe and I really do like it a lot. It has more "range" than any other wah I've ever played. It has three settings on it (I haven't found too much need to venture past the "Jimi" setting) and the built in boost is subtle and a great feature.

andrenighthound · March 30th, 2008, 08:21 AM

teese picture wah

giantslayer · March 30th, 2008, 08:07 PM

I really like my Ibanez Weeping Demon. It's got a switchless operation similar to those Morley wahs (you move the pedal from the all-the-way-up position and it turns on, put it all the way up again and it turns off). I think wahs should kick on and off at the bottom of the range so you don't have to stop playing to avoid announcing to the world that you have turned your wah on or off with a burst of screechy treble.

The Ibanez also has a whole bunch of controls (including a couple well-hidden trim pots under the unit that widen the bass and treble response a little). It's got two modes - one is spring loaded like a Morley and the other doesn't use the spring (so you can set the position and walk away) and has a button you can press to turn the wah on or off.

I really love this wah. I don't know if the tone is up to par with a Teese or Fulltone (haven't tried either), but I like the switchless operation so much that I don't think I could stand a regular wah. Plus, these things are like $100 bucks new.

Tim Bowen · March 31st, 2008, 02:16 AM

Teese Picture wah is the best I've played. It belches and vomits with conviction. I sold the Fulltone, the Voxes, and the Dunlops.

Tim Bowen · March 31st, 2008, 02:20 AM

By the way, getting three or four years of solid service out of a wah pot is most excellent. It's a mechanical device. I've had wahs crap out on me after three or four gigs.

hxchip · March 31st, 2008, 12:01 PM

Got my Chuck's Tone Garage modified CryBaby this weekend. It sounds soooo much better than a stock CryBaby, but I have one gripe. The listing did not mention specifically that it had been modified for a slight gain boost which increases volume when engaged marginally. I'm not a fan of boosts unless it's from a boost pedal, since I use wahs for more of an ambient effect. Oh well, it sounds great and maybe later I'll revert that mod.

The voicing knob functions wonderfully and can go from very funky and piercing to barely there - my favorite part of it.

All in all, great investment for my $90! I recmmend them if you can find them or if "Chuck" still does them (for whatever the price).

March 29th, 2008, 12:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 242	A good Wah pedal? What's a good wah pedal? I may have a shot at a Vox for half off, but I know absolutely nothing about these pedals. I used to have one long ago, but I've been out of the loop for quite some time. Any opinions?

March 29th, 2008, 12:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 3,182	I assume you are talking about Vox V848 Clyde McCoy Wah Pedal? That one has true bypass. __________________ tazzboy

March 29th, 2008, 07:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,065 1 Photos	I love my Morely better than my CryBaby. Optical wah control is smoother and won't ever get scratchy. __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

March 29th, 2008, 08:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
greggorypeccary Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 816 31 Photos	I put and Area 51 "drop-in" into my Crybaby housing. Great wah! __________________ I got the rockin' pneumonia, I need a shot of rhythm and blues! http://www.myspace.com/javablue

March 29th, 2008, 02:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,180	I like the sound of my Fulltone Clyde....but guess what? It's on it's way back to Fulltone to get the scratchiness out of the pot. I had a vintage Crybaby but it was a pile of scratchiness, crackles, and pops. Had a Vox once (for a week)....it was a mess. Axis29's Morley sounds good....although the Morley feel is different - try it first. Last point - I really suggest getting wah with true bypass as they're almost all tone suckers. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

March 29th, 2008, 01:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 242	Eh, the newer Vox V847. Or any new wah pedal. I just want to know what is good, good range, good wah sound. Definitive wah, if you will.

March 29th, 2008, 02:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
hxchip TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lilburn, GA Age: 23 Posts: 32	I just picked up an ebay deal of a Crybaby modded by Chuck's Tone Garage for $90. It's on its way, so I'll try to get a review up when it's in. Chuck's Tone Garage still has a myspace, but I couldn't find the old website - so I don't know if he's still modding actively.

March 29th, 2008, 04:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
teleclem Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philippnes Posts: 264 27 Photos	a nicely modded Vox really does the job for me. It's modded with Fulltone pot, true bypass, blue led, and a power supply jack. ;) though i wanna check out those teese wahs :D

March 29th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
marc sosnoff Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Age: 55 Posts: 538 10 Photos	the teese wah are some of the best also the fulltone gets great reviews area 51 i never have used or heard that they are supposed to be top of the line too the vox 847 is not bad but you have to do a true bypass which isnt very hard to do i have a 847 that i modded for true bypass and i also swapped out the pot and inductor and a few other things it works and sounds great very close to my teese pic wah but after you do all the work to the vox you have almost the same money as buying a teese so go for the teese youll be glad you did marc if you dont use a wah a lot and dont want to spend 200.00 the next pedal to look at will be the budda

March 29th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 242	Hmm, how is the Vox 847 before any upgrades. I have a chance to get one brand new for 60 bucks. I could work on the upgrades once I have time or figure out how to do them...but in general, for 60 bucks, will I be pretty happy?

March 29th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
marc sosnoff Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Age: 55 Posts: 538 10 Photos	im sure you will be happy just that if it not true bypassed it sucks the tone big time

March 29th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 242	The Tone bypass mod is pretty easy right? A couple of wires and some soldering? For the money I'd save on the pedal it would almost be worth it. Wah pedals are expensive as hell. Never would have guessed that.

March 29th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 42 Posts: 1,075	You know, I have the original Crybaby...you know the one everyone says sucks tone when off because of the lack of true bypass. I did an A/B test and tried with connected to my chain and not connected and I didn't NOT here are darn difference in sound. Now I do know that Dunlop did do something with the electronics in the later models that act like true bypass but aren't. But I just could not notice any change in tone. I really like the Crybaby's sound. I know many people despise the Crybaby but I like it. The one thing I would like to do is increase the range of the pedal itself. I know there is something you can turn to raise and lower the pedal? Anyone have a diagram or something? (Sorry to the OP to hijack the thread!)

March 29th, 2008, 07:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
freddie Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portsmouth, U.K. Age: 44 Posts: 186	I like my Dunlop Crybaby. freddie

March 29th, 2008, 07:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 242	See, I used to have a crybaby, and also really liked it, but it has been a while. Mikespe, my question was answered enough (and I knew before I posted that it would come down to personal preference) and I am never one to worry about having my toes stepped on in a forum. I enjoy it when topics open up and people can all have different questions answered.

March 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#18 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,889	vox clyde mccoy 848($150) or BYOC wah($130)...The byoc has a drop in kit that's $94 if you already have an enclosure. Jen wahs sometimes pop up on ebay they are the same as vox, same factory in Italy...I believe Jimmy Page uses a Jen wah.

March 29th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
bumper TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 23	Roger Mayer Vision Wah. Greatest wah ever: smooth, quiet, very adjustable.

March 30th, 2008, 01:07 AM	#21 (permalink)
XKnight Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TX Posts: 873	Teese.

March 30th, 2008, 05:40 AM	#22 (permalink)
BrutherBill Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Age: 35 Posts: 194	FWIW - I had a Vox Clyde and it crapped out after three or four years. I just got back from my second gig with a the Fulltone Clyde Deluxe and I really do like it a lot. It has more "range" than any other wah I've ever played. It has three settings on it (I haven't found too much need to venture past the "Jimi" setting) and the built in boost is subtle and a great feature. __________________ --BB 3 tele's and counting

March 30th, 2008, 08:21 AM	#23 (permalink)
andrenighthound Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bronx NY Age: 33 Posts: 236	teese picture wah __________________ "Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat!" www.andreandthenighthounds.com

March 30th, 2008, 08:07 PM	#24 (permalink)
giantslayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Age: 22 Posts: 284	I really like my Ibanez Weeping Demon. It's got a switchless operation similar to those Morley wahs (you move the pedal from the all-the-way-up position and it turns on, put it all the way up again and it turns off). I think wahs should kick on and off at the bottom of the range so you don't have to stop playing to avoid announcing to the world that you have turned your wah on or off with a burst of screechy treble. The Ibanez also has a whole bunch of controls (including a couple well-hidden trim pots under the unit that widen the bass and treble response a little). It's got two modes - one is spring loaded like a Morley and the other doesn't use the spring (so you can set the position and walk away) and has a button you can press to turn the wah on or off. I really love this wah. I don't know if the tone is up to par with a Teese or Fulltone (haven't tried either), but I like the switchless operation so much that I don't think I could stand a regular wah. Plus, these things are like $100 bucks new.

March 31st, 2008, 02:16 AM	#25 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,319	Teese Picture wah is the best I've played. It belches and vomits with conviction. I sold the Fulltone, the Voxes, and the Dunlops. __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

March 31st, 2008, 02:20 AM	#26 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,319	By the way, getting three or four years of solid service out of a wah pot is most excellent. It's a mechanical device. I've had wahs crap out on me after three or four gigs. __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

March 31st, 2008, 12:01 PM	#27 (permalink)
hxchip TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lilburn, GA Age: 23 Posts: 32	Got my Chuck's Tone Garage modified CryBaby this weekend. It sounds soooo much better than a stock CryBaby, but I have one gripe. The listing did not mention specifically that it had been modified for a slight gain boost which increases volume when engaged marginally. I'm not a fan of boosts unless it's from a boost pedal, since I use wahs for more of an ambient effect. Oh well, it sounds great and maybe later I'll revert that mod. The voicing knob functions wonderfully and can go from very funky and piercing to barely there - my favorite part of it. All in all, great investment for my $90! I recmmend them if you can find them or if "Chuck" still does them (for whatever the price).